Codeless Platforms has released its Amazon Connector v1.0 providing a straightforward way of connecting Amazon Seller Central with third-party systems. The solution is managed via BPA Platform and the new Selling Partner API (SP-API).
The Selling Partner API (SP-API) is a REST-based API that helps Amazon selling partners programmatically access their data on orders, shipments, payments, and much more. Applications using the SP-API are expected to improve efficiency, reduce resource requirements, and improve response time to customers. Amazon says this will help selling partners grow their businesses.
The Amazon Connector enables sellers to write and retrieve data to/from Amazon Seller Central marketplaces. This includes sales orders, product information, stock levels and pricing. Selling Partner API (SP-API) is the successor to the Amazon Marketplace Web Service (Amazon MWS). The facility is being removed from service and will no longer be available after 31st March 2024. Amazon is urging all MWS developers to migrate to SP-API to avoid service disruptions.
According to Amazon, the launch of SP-API represents the next-generation API for programmatic access to Amazon features for sellers. All new development is occurring in SP-API, including several enhanced data protection and security features.
Codeless Platforms’ Amazon Connector
Amazon Connector v1.0 removes the need for scripts by providing an easy-to-use user interface for writing and retrieving data to/from Amazon Seller Central marketplaces using its SP-API. This enables sellers to synchronise data between their Amazon stores and any third-party systems that they are using, including:
- Downloading and retrieving sales orders.
- Downloading and retrieving information on products.
- Uploading inventory changes, i.e., stock levels and pricing.
- Uploading order status changes.
- Obtaining reports on marketplace activity.
Data is validated using the business rules defined by Amazon. As a result, the data cannot be accidentally corrupted through a lack of knowledge of these rules.
Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) orders. A service in which Amazon handles storing, packing and shipping, customer support and returns – supported natively in the Amazon Connector.
Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) orders. Sellers list products in Amazon stores but manage all storage, shipping, and customer support independently – these are supported if the corresponding Private SP-API Developer account has Direct to Consumer shipping permissions granted by Amazon.
If a marketplace activity needs Personally Identifiable Information (PII) to be retrieved, e.g., order fulfilment or report requirements, then the ability to access such data is governed by Amazon’s policies. In such scenarios, a Private SP-API Developer account must be obtained by the customer, with Direct-to-Consumer Shipping permission granted by Amazon. Without this permission, it is not possible to retrieve PII.
Other role permissions are available within an Amazon account profile which permit access to additional types of data content. Users should refer to the Amazon SP-API documentation for further details.
Amazon Connector v1.0 core features
- Connects to the Amazon Selling Partner API (SP-API) to communicate with an Amazon store.
- Synchronisation of data between an Amazon store and third-party systems.
- Drag and drop facility for mapping BPA Platform data to an Amazon store.
- Visual links to easily identify the mappings between the incoming data of the XML source and the outgoing data to be sent to Amazon.
- Ability to save partial connections to allow users to complete configuration at a separate time. Alternatively, to export a connection without its current authentication credentials.
Enterprise Times: what this means for business.
Codeless Platform’s Amazon Connector v1.0 is expected to provide a straightforward way of connecting Amazon Seller Central with third-party systems. This will be achieved via its business process automation (BPA) platform and the new Selling Partner API (SP-API). This is because Amazon Marketplace Web Service (Amazon MWS) will no longer be available after 31st March 2024.
The new connector writes and retrieves data to/from Amazon Seller Central via the new Selling Partner API (SP-API). The SP-API is the successor to MWS. Consequently, Amazon is urging all developers to migrate to SP-API to avoid service disruptions.
This is quite an important announcement from Codeless Platform. There are several new developments planned in SP-API, including several enhanced data protection and security features. These updates ensure developers are using the latest technology and features for the benefit of both selling partners and customers. For the company’s continued success and domination of eCommerce, it must provide the necessary information, tools, and assistance needed to enable its customers to successfully migrate apps to SP-API.
